Lincoln sees homeless population reduced by half since 2012

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lincoln Homeless Coalition says the city's homeless population has reduced by half since 2012.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that volunteers identified 451 homeless individuals in the coalition's most recent point-in-time homelessness count. The number is down by 25 percent from last year.

The coalition also says 16 homeless individuals were veterans, which is a 70 percent decrease from 2017.

Lee Heflebower is the housing director at Region V Systems. She says the coalition is close to ending veteran homelessness as the result of a concerted effort with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Jeff Chambers is director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center on Children, Families, and the Law. He attributes this year's decrease to Lincoln agencies knowing who is the most vulnerable, coupled with rapid re-housing programs.